James Leroy "Buster" White

James Leroy “Buster” White, age 97, of Harleston, Mississippi was called away to his heavenly home the morning of March 15, 2021, surrounded by his family. There is no doubt he was received into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - and his loving wife of 58 years, Mildred Louise Brooks White.

Buster was born in rural Escambia County, Alabama on October 7, 1923 to Charles Benjamin “C.B./Charlie” White and Cleon Beatrice Archer White - the third eldest child, and the oldest son. Along with his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by sisters Myrtie Ard, Reldie Weaver, Helen Boehm, Thelma Lott, and Judy White, as well as brothers Alton White and Dewitt White. He is survived by the following: sister Velma Pearson, and brothers Dewey “Pete” White and Richard White; six children (or “blessings”, as he called them) and six “in-loves”, Deborah Jo “Debbie” (Pete) Gilreath, Suzanne “Susie” (Harry) Zielinski, James Stuart “Stu” (Becky) White, Michael Patrick “Mickey” (Rita) White Sr., John Walter “Johnny” (Melanie) White, and Jenamarie “Jena” (Jamie) Dickerson; 14 grandchildren, Peter (Kimberly) Gilreath, Scarlett Gilreath Pepperman, Ben (Brandi) Gilreath, Brad (Tabitha) Lewis, Rodney (Jennifer) Lewis, Jameson (Meg) White, Connor (Lea Anna) White, Michelle White (Kevin) Silye, Michael (Aleesha) White, Gavin White, Avery White, Conley White, Echo Zielinski Hamilton (Brian) and Juanita "Nita" Zielinski Brown (Darrell); 19 great-grandchildren, Pierson Gilreath, Katelyn Gilreath (Brock) Hubbard, Parker Gilreath, Jacob Pepperman, Grant Pepperman, Luke Pepperman, Hunter Conway, Blake Conway, Madalynn Fleming, Abigail Gilreath, Jackson "Jax" Lewis, Bryson Lewis, Londyn Lewis, Kaylynn Sirney, Mallory Sims, Jack Sims, Natalee Smoak, Kobie and Kolton Hamilton and one on the way; plus, a host of nieces and nephews.

As a young child, the family moved to neighboring Baldwin County, AL – near Robertsdale. Ever a hard-worker, Buster left school in the 9th grade to help his family build the first home they ever owned. As an adolescent during the height of the Great Depression, he and his brother Alton worked odd jobs to help support the family – mostly in timber, turpentine, and truck farming – and together, were paid the wage of one man. He was a teenager before his family had indoor plumbing, or even an automobile (before that, the family traveled by horse and wagon). Later, he worked in various fruit and vegetable packing sheds in/near Robertsdale before going off to Europe to serve in World War II from March, 1943 to February, 1946. Buster was a member of the U.S. Army’s 8th Air Corps (now known as the 8th Air Force), 361st Fighter Group in Bottisham (and later, Little Walden), England – home of the P-51 Mustang fighter credited with being responsible for winning air superiority for the Allies. He later supported the war efforts in Belgium before receiving an honorable discharge.

For a short time after the war, Buster worked with an uncle as a carpenter, building cottages in Michigan, before returning to Robertsdale to start dairy farming in late 1946. He married on December 3, 1949 and left dairy farming in 1951 for heavy construction work on paper mills, power plants, and munitions facilities in South Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee. In 1956, he went back to Robertsdale to begin building the family home and back to dairy farming, in partnership with his father and brother Alton. After buying their father out, the brothers expanded the farm two counties west, near Hurley, Mississippi in 1967. In December 1969, the brothers decided to dissolve the partnership; Alton stayed in Robertsdale, and Buster pulled up stakes and moved his family to the Mississippi farm. There, Buster row-cropped soybeans, corn, wheat, oats, and occasionally vegetable crops – including potatoes for Frito-Lay. He also raised beef cattle and hogs. Buster retired from farming full-time in 1993, but continued with cattle until 1999. In his civic pursuits, Buster was active in the Robertsdale Civitan Club, Robertsdale High School Band Boosters and Quarterback Club, and Robertsdale United Methodist Church. Later, in Mississippi, he served as a Director of several Boards, including Federal Land Bank (Chairman of the Board for 25 years), Bank of Leakesville, First State Bank, Bank of Lucedale, Jackson County ASCS (today’s Farm Service Agency), Elder at Faith Church in Lucedale, MS, and Deacon Board at Magnolia Springs Assembly of God in Hurley, MS. He was elected to the Jackson County School Board for two consecutive terms. In 2001, the State of Mississippi conferred upon him his High School Diploma, with the presentation and ceremony at George County High School. For his military service, Buster was invited to be part of the “World War II Veteran’s Honor Flight” to the United States Capital in 2009 to visit the WWII Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, Lincoln Center, and his Congressional Delegation.

Before his wife passed away in 2007, the couple traveled extensively throughout much of the United States, with trips to Europe and Canada as well. They would spend weeks on end in their beloved Great Smoky Mountains at their place near Bryson City, NC and in Gulf Shores, AL at “the cabin” on Little Lagoon.

Buster loved life, enjoying visits with friends, neighbors, and family. He loved a fish-fry; he helped with and hosted dozens upon dozens of them for his church, professional organizations, and various parties and get-togethers. From last-minute invites at his kitchen table, to Sunday dinners, to holidays, he looked for any reason he could find to get people together for a meal. He believed there was something special about mealtime and breaking bread together.

Most of all, Buster loved The Lord. In the early 1970’s, he rededicated his life to Christ. He became involved with the Full-Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International, attending several conventions through the years. He loved good preaching, hymns, and gospel music. Always one to offer an encouraging word, it almost always included scripture, because “his delight was in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditated day and night” (Psalm 1:2). His morning routine for decades included a devotional, reading at least one chapter of The Holy Bible, and deep prayer. Especially as he began to lose mobility in later years, he had clung to the promise found in Psalm 34:19 - “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” In fact, the books of Psalms and Proverbs were among his favorites, but the book of Romans was his absolute favorite. He was utterly devoted to the “Great Commission” – of spreading the word of God and winning souls for Jesus Christ. One might say he was a Christian Pastor “wannabe” – and was particularly happy and proud to be a member and volunteer for Gideons International, with their efforts in distributing bibles free of charge. He often opined that Christian denominations could be “abominations”, preferring to worship wherever the infallible Word of God was preached and practiced. Buster’s home church was Magnolia Springs Assembly of God, where he had been a member since 1983. In more recent years, he worshipped at Hurley United Methodist Church.

Another member of “The Greatest Generation” has left us, but he left us a great legacy. Buster honored his father and mother, and was a devoted and loving husband, father, provider, and friend. He shall be remembered with fondness for years to come, as he made an impact on almost everyone he encountered.

For those wishing to pay their respects, visitation will be held at Magnolia Springs Assembly of God in Hurley, MS, on Friday, March 19, 2021 from 6-9 pm. The funeral service will be Saturday, March 20, at 10 am, at the same location. There will be no grave-side committal; instead, Buster’s wish was that everyone in attendance be cordially invited to “The White House” on the Mississippi Farm, afterwards for a Fish Fry provided. In the event of inclement weather, Magnolia Springs gymnasium.

Pallbearers will be his nine grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers will be the great-grandsons.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Hospice of Light - especially nurse Shyanne Eckhoff and nurse’s aide Johnese Cochran - and to his caregiver, Jennifer Hammond, for her unwavering help and support. Special thanks also goes to his grandson Jameson White (RN) for his untiring and devoted care provided in these final days, and to his long-time and loyal friend, Rucks Robinson.

In lieu of flowers, Buster’s wish was that donations be made to The Gideons International Processing Center; P.O. Box 97251; Washington, DC 20090-7251, or by dialing 1-866-382-4253. You may also donate online at www.gideons.org

Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.